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Goats in Bowen Park to Control Invasive Plants

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed May 6, 2014 1:15 PM

Summary

This week Bowen Park has some special visitors. A herd of goats will be munching their way through a patch of invasive plants as part of Invasive Plant Month.

The first of its kind in Nanaimo this pilot three to four day test will help the City determine if this is a cost-effective method to control invasive plants in the City's parks. Goats are known to eat a wide variety of plants including many invasive ones, like English Ivy, that negatively impact our Parks. The goats will be placed in an enclosed pen and will be watched over to ensure they are safe and eating the right plants.

This test is being coordinated by "Goats on the Hoof", a local company that provides vegetation management services for the mid-island area.

Link to Strategic Plan: This pilot project falls under Environmental Responsibility, one of the four Pillars of Sustainability in the City of Nanaimo's Strategic Plan.

Key Points

  • Goats are known to eat a wide range of plants, including many invasive plants such as English Ivy, Blackberry and Scotch Broom.
  • Invasive plants are seen as a major threat to the loss of biodiversity in our Parks and natural areas.

Quotes

"The City is looking for innovative and cost effective ways to manage invasive plants in our parks. By working with companies, like to Goats on the Hoof, who offer innovative solutions to managing large scale infestations of invasive plants, the hope is we can celebrate the humble goat as a hero in the fight to protect our City's natural spaces."

Rob Lawrance
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo

Images

Goat eating bramble
Goat eating bramble
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Contact:

Rob Lawrance
Environmental Planner
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7582

Print News Release

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